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A general dentist is a primary dental care provider for people of all ages. According to the American Dental Association, over 80 percent of the estimated 143,000 practicing dentists in North America are general dentists.

Important treatments you can get from a general dentist

General dentists diagnose, treat, and manage your dental care, helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Some of the main services they provide include:

Preventive services

Preventive services are done to help you maintain your oral health by preventing diseases before they manifest in your mouth. Preventive services offered by dentists include regular exams and professional cleanings. Getting your mouth examined regularly allows your general dentist to detect symptoms of disease early and treat the problem early, while cleanings help to prevent the spread of cavities.

After your examination, your general dentist will provide you with tips on how to practice good oral hygiene and may also recommend getting preventive treatments like sealants to protect your teeth from decay.

Restorations

If you have a problem with your teeth, your dentist will help you treat the problem and save your teeth from further damage. The most common dental restorations that general dentists perform is the removal of tooth decay. If the hole created by the decay is not too large, the dentist will use a dental filling to seal the tooth. If the hole is too big, they will use a dental crown to protect the tooth.

Cosmetic services

If the problem you have with your teeth is cosmetic, your dentist will be able to restore your smile with any of the following procedures:

Teeth whitening: This is when your dentist bleaches your teeth with a peroxide-based solution to restore them to their natural whiteness

Porcelain veneers: These are used to fix cosmetic problems like chipped or broken teeth, crooked teeth, and stained teeth

Bonding: This procedure involves your dentist using a composite material that is color-matched to your teeth to fix damage to the surface of your teeth and correct flaws

Overall health evaluation

Research has proven that your oral health and general health are correlated, which means your general dentist can pick up symptoms of general health problems during a routine dental examination. Some of the health problems your dentist can diagnose include:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Pregnancy complications
• Kidney disease

Poor oral hygiene can also be harmful to your general health and lead to health complications down the line, which is why it is important to practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and making regular visits to the dentist.

What are the qualification requirements for general dentists?

Practicing general dentists are required to have a doctor of dental medicine (DMD) degree or a doctor of dental surgery (DDS) degree. There is no distinction between the two degrees, some schools simply choose to award one while other schools award the other.

The bottom line

General dentists play an important role in your oral health and can also help improve your general health. If you have a problem with your teeth or want to get some cosmetic work done, schedule an appointment with your general dentist to go over your options and treatment plan.

Request an appointment here: https://hanfordcosmeticdentist.com or call Rushi Panchal DDS at (559) 426-1124 for an appointment in our Hanford office.